We check in with people at each stage of the cash transfer process to see how things are going. Take a look at some of their stories as they appear here in real-time.
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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53200 KES ($482 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have bought a motorcycle. I had always wished to own a motorcycle and used it for taxi business. I have a retail shop where I used to run. This was my main source of income. I used to save some money after providing the basic household items on my family. I had saved KES 28,000 from this business. When I received the first I saved KES 40,000 which an I am of combining with the second transfer. When I received the second transfer I combined with the savings and the first transfer. I was able to buy a new brand motorcycle. Currently I used it for transportation business. This earns me a daily income of KES 400. I am in a position to buy seeds, basic household needs and even save some money. I realIzed the importance of motorcycle taxi because I used to transport the stock to my shop. Currently my spouse run the shop while I handle the taxi work. We are so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has enabled us to own assets which could have taken quite some time. We are able to generate an income daily and even started the saving culture which was not possible before due to recurrent needs.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well by giving money to the poor in the community to build better houses and to buy dairy cows. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spend the money I received from GiveDirectly on purchasing a motorcycle. I had saved KES 40,000 from the first transfer and some savings that I had. I combined all this and I was in a position to buy a new motorcycle. I used it for taxi business, I am so happy because I have always wished to own a motorcycle but it was not possible. Currently I get a daily income of KES 400 per day. I am able to meet all the basic household items and save some money. GiveDirectly has changed my living standard, I have fulfilled my dreams.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($510 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received my transfer I was extremely happy,I shared the news with my wife who was also excited, we knew that God had answered our prayers and our lives would never be the same again.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My life is different now because I own a motorcycle now which I use in bringing in more stock, when my wife is busy at the shop I also use it in transporting customers to and from town hence earning extra cash, with the transfer money my dream was fulfilled
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I want to take this opportunity to thank GiveDirectly and the donors for helping me realise my goals and dreams,I always had a dream and ambition that if I happen to get money I would buy my self a motorcycle, when I received my transfer I was able to buy a second hand motorcycle which I use in bringing more stock from the township to the village where I own a shop therefore saving time and the cost of transportation.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I borrowed a cow from my employer to provide dairy products to my family. Our agreement with the owner was for me to look after the cow as I milk until calving. The duration has elapsed and very soon he is going to come for her and the calf. I will then return to buying milk for my family to use. Receiving this transfer will mean that I will be in a position to buy one dairy cattle of my own for 40,000 shillings and another additional 10,000 to purchase start-up feeds for the cattle. For the remaining amount, I intend to purchase a motorcycle to be used to transport surplus milk to the nearest market center and sometimes conduct taxi services. By doing this, I will be having a daily income of more than 300 shillings.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am an employed shopkeeper and I spend most of my daytime attending to customers. The happiest part of the day is in the evening when my friends and other customers assemble near the shop as they play old school games while politicking. They create an avenue for customers to come meaning more sales. My salary being dependent on sales, means higher income on my side.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have not been able to own any dairy cattle due to my financial status. As a result, I resolved to borrow one from my employer on the condition that I will look after her as I milk but when she calves, the owner comes for her. For the past few years, I have been doing this periodically without having the means to buy mine. The effort put in place to ensure that the cow is always in good condition and the fear of something happening to her like death is the biggest hardship I have ever experienced. This is because if the latter happens, I have to pay for her.
